Serie A: Outclassed Inter slip to Palermo defeat

MILAN, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Italian title hopefuls Inter Milan lost 3-2 at Palermo in Serie A on Saturday after being outclassed by the Sicilian side who led 3-0 until five minutes from the end.

Last season's runners-up AC Milan enjoyed a 3-1 home win
over Siena with goals from Massimo Ambrosini, European
Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko and Brazilian Kaka.

Champions Juventus are away to Empoli on Sunday.

Inter have impressed in pre-season and early domestic and
European encounters but this defeat will raise questions over
their credentials after last term's inconsistency cost them a
chance of keeping up with rivals Juventus and AC Milan.

Eugenio Corini fired Palermo in front with a superb
25-metre, curling free-kick and Palermo dominated from then on,
causing Inter's defence plenty of problems down the flanks.

The second half began with a flurry of action in the Inter
goalmouth, Palermo forward Andrea Caracciolo having a great
effort tipped on to the crossbar by Inter keeper Julio Cesar
before the Brazilian keep out an effort from Cristian Zaccardo.

The 35-year-old Corini took the resulting corner which was
met at the near post by defender Christian Terlizzi who scored
with a powerful header.

The game was put beyond Inter, aiming to win their first
league title since 1989, when Nigerian Stephen Makinwa headed in
a fine cross from the left by Argentine Mario Alberto Santana.

CLOSE RANGE

Roberto Mancini's side pulled a goal back five minutes from
time when substitute Julio Ricardo Cruz tapped in from close
range after good work from Brazilian Adriano.

Even then, Palermo could have added to their tally with
Cesar producing a top-drawer save to tip a Mariano Gonzalez
effort on to the bar and Franco Brienza shooting wide after a
swift counter-attack.

With the final action of the game, Argentine Cruz headed in
from a corner in the fifth minute of injury time.

Inter coach Mancini, who started with former World Player of
the Year Luis Figo on the bench, took a calm view of the result.

'You can have an evening like that when you are not
particularly sparkling. They did very well. They got an early
goal with the free-kick and then we had to go at them and they
are very good on the break,' he said.

'Maybe we need to have a bit more concentration but in
defeats you look for blame and the blame is, in the end, mine
for a few things that I did.'

Milan, who drew their opening game at Ascoli, made a
confident start with Ambrosini slotting home from close range
after being set up by Shevchenko.

The Ukrainian doubled his side's lead with a thundering
drive from 20 metres but what should have been a straightforward
second half was complicated when Croatian Igor Tudor headed
Siena back into the game just before the break.

Carlo Ancelotti's side were rarely in trouble, however.
After Alberto Gilardino had an effort for Milan cleared off the
line, Brazilian Kaka, on as a substitute, sealed the win with a
confident solo goal.